Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
ICMR REPLY TO SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Kolkata, 29th April, 2021
Indian Council of Medical Research has come out with the answers to some frequently asked questions popping up in this covid time.
According to council people with hypertension, diabetes or heart diseases are at no greater risk of getting the infection than anyone else.
Is it true that among people with above diseases is there an increased risk of severe illness or complications once infected?
Replying to this question ICMR said that the majority  of people diagnosed with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms of a respiratory infection  and make full recovery. Some of the people with diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases including Heart Failure  may develop more severe symptoms and complications. Therefore, extra care is advised for these patients.
In response to a question whether people with diabetes more prone to Covid-19, the Council said that, in general, people with uncontrolled diabetes are at increased risk of all infections. People with diabetes are not at higher risk for acquiring the infection, but some individuals are prone to more severe disease and poorer outcomes once infected. Hence, it is advisable to follow prescribed diet and exercise routine , proper regular medications and testing sugar levels frequently is the need of the hour to keep diabetes under control. When diabetic patients become sick, they may require frequent monitoring of blood glucose and adjustment of drugs including insulin, small frequent meals and adequate fluids.
Council has given some tips for those with diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. According to them Take your medicines regularly - It is very important.
Council has advised to make sure that one must take all medications prescribed regularly as before even if one is mildly symptomatic. Medications to control cholesterol  should be continued.
Whether BP medications increasing severity of COVID-19? To this question ICMR said that there is no evidence that the two group of drugs- ACE inhibitors  and angiotensin receptor blockers   increase the susceptibility or severity of COVID-19. It may be harmful to stop these medications as this can worsen your heart condition.
Regarding taking pain killer the council’s advice is that some type of pain killers  like Ibuprofen is found to worsen the COVID-19. Such drugs are known to be harmful to heart failure patients and may increase the risk of kidney damage. Take only when prescribed by the doctor. Paracetamol is one of the safest pain killers to use if needed.
Council has categorically made it clear that it is also important to control ones risk factor levels – avoid smoking and alcohol, have your BP and blood sugar levels under control and have some form of regular physical activity . Follow the diet and salt restriction as advised. If you are a non-vegetarian, you can continue to be so. Increasing the fibre and protein content of the diet and more vegetables and fruits in diet is advisable.
In case of someone getting symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 ICMR said
a. call your doctor and seek advice on the phone.
b. Contact nearby COVID-19 testing laboratories and arrange for testing.
c. While awaiting test results, stay at home and avoid close contact with family members, maintain hand hygiene, and correctly wear a medical mask.
d. If you test positive for COVID-19, isolate yourself at home as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family welfare, India  ).
e. If there is worsening of your symptoms, contact your doctor for further advice
What one should you do to prevent COVID19? In reply to this question ICMR said Covid-19 is spread by coughs and sneezes, through what are called droplets  and through touch. When you touch an object that has the virus particles on it, the virus may get onto your hands and when you touch your face, you may get infected. Virus particles can persist up to 3 days and therefore it is important to maintain hygiene of your surroundings. Wash the rooms, tables and other surfaces with floor cleaners or even simple soap solution and sanitize your hands with hand sanitizers or by washing when you touch unknown or suspicious surfaces.
What are the important steps one can take to prevent acquiring or spreading infection
1. Wear a mask – most important for protection of healthy people and to prevent transmission
a. Wear a medical mask in crowded areas and in poorly ventilated rooms. Make it a routine part of being around other people
b. The mask should cover your nose, mouth and chin
c. Avoid touching the mask frequently
d. Maintain physical distance of at least 1 metre even while wearing a mask
e. Wear a mask if a visitor comes to your home who is not a member of your household
f. Clean your hands before and after using a mask, and before touching it while still in use
g. Change the mask if it is soiled or wet, and dispose it properly in a trash bin
2. Social distancing.
a. Avoid contact with someone who shows symptoms of possible COVID-19 - anyone having a cold or cough or fever.
b. Avoid non-essential travel and use of public transport.
c. Avoid public places, crowds and large family get together. Keep in touch with friends and relatives using phone, internet, and social media.
d. Avoid routine visits to hospitals / Labs. for minor problems, contact hospital or HF clinic by phone or helpline number if possible. If you are regularly checking INR and adjusting blood thinning medicines, please contact the doctor over phone if possible and try and avoid a hospital as much as possible.
3. Hand hygiene
a. Avoid handshakes and touching face with hands
b. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently – do this for at least 20-30 seconds and systematically to clean all parts of the hand
c. Alcohol based hand-sanitisers are also useful.
d. Avoid touching possibly contaminated areas/objects – Public toilet doors, door handles etc.
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